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Aussies join bid to create artificial life

Clifford Fram, AAP National Medical Writer

Australian scientists are playing a key role in an attempt to create the world's first synthetic version of a complex living organism.

If successful, it could change agriculture, medicine and industry, says Macquarie University Professor Sakkie Pretorius, leader of the Australian leg of the project.

The aim is to develop and link all 16 chromosomes that make up yeast by 2017.

The Australian task is to create chromosome 14. Teams in the US, China, UK, Singapore and India are working on the others.

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The project is far more challenging than the breakthrough in 2010 that led to a synthetic bacterium.

However, that study is an inspiration.

"There is something living on this planet whose parent is a computer and not a living entity," said Prof Pretorius ahead the Australian project launch on Tuesday.

The initial chromosome in the project, chromosome three, was produced in the US in March.

"We are building chromosomes from scratch using relatively simple materials," said New York University Professor Jef Boeke, who has been working on the project for several years and is in Australia for the launch.

Apart from better medicine, it could result in better beer, he said.

Yeast has the same cell structure as a human or plant, although it has 16 chromosomes and 6000 genes and a human has 46 chromosomes and 20,000 genes.

"This is different from anything attempted before," said Prof Pretorius.

In 10 to 15 years, synthetic biology could enable the manufacture of leaves to offset the impact of climate change with clean, green energy.

Scientists are already working on ways to use it to create antibiotics to kill drug-resistant bacteria.

There could also be a way to manufacture blood for use in humans.

The scientists are mindful of potential concern from religious and environmental groups.

"People will be worried we are tampering with nature," said Prof Pretorius.

"This makes open and transparent communication essential.

"The UK has been proactive in leading a constructive dialogue with the public. We don't want to take this down the same horrible path as genetic engineering.

"Initially controls should be within individual countries, but eventually there will need to be an international code."